Addition

About the 25th Convoy from 19 May 1944

From Mechelen to Auschwitz.

The third Jewish transport of the year 1944, the 25th convoy of 19 May 1944, is a small convoy: “only” 507 people, including 58 children. It was assembled 1 ½ month after the previous convoy, already from 4 April 1944 and testifies to the stronger hunt for the Jews following the instructions of March. Since 5 April, the average number of registrations in Mechelen has risen to 15 people a day. Although it has doubled, the results remain on the lean side.

On 10 May, the military administration, which is still responsible for the anti-Jewish action, warned the higher authorities that "given the illegal whereabouts of most Jews", the tightened "evacuation measures" are facing difficulties.

The victims of this hunt arrive with the 25th convoy from Mechelen in Auschwitz on 21 May 1944. The noticeable trend in the previous convoys is continuing. Hardly 21.3% of the deportees are murdered upon arrival. However, this low number means that still 108 people have disappeared forever. The 399 people who entered the camp and more registered people will survive the imprisonment. Although ¾ perishes, the 132 surviving deportees during the liberation of the camps indicate that the 25th convoy was one of the least deadly; the survival rate is 26%.

From the Memorial of the deportation of the Belgian Jews, page 35.

 

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